Network News – April 20, 2023
Webinar/Biennial Meeting
Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events
- The National Network of Immunization Coalitions highlights Immunize Oregon
- “Conspiracy Theorists Made Tiffany Dover into an Anti-vaccine Icon. She’s Finally Ready to Talk about It.” published by NBC
- Colorado Community Health Alliance and Julissa Soto launch new radio show Prevención es Salud con Julissa Soto (Prevention is Health with Julissa Soto)
- Montgomery County Immunization Coalition offers social media toolkit for National Minority Health Month
- Immunize Kansas Coalition hosted Vaccine Fears Overturned by Facts webinar series in March
- In-person: Missouri Immunization Coalition hosts “Missouri Immunization Conference 2023” in Columbia on April 26–27
- In-person: Immunize Arkansas hosts “2023 HPV Summit” in Little Rock on May 5
- In-person: Immunize Nevada hosts “17th Annual Nevada Health Conference” in Las Vegas on May 8–9
- In-person: Immunize Wisconsin hosts “Immunize Wisconsin Spring Conference” in Wausau on May 18–19
- Hybrid: WithinReach and Washington State Department of Health host “2023 Washington State Immunization Summit” in Tacoma on May 25
- In-person: Immunize Colorado hosts “2023 Colorado Regional Immunization Summit” in Glenwood Springs on June 8
Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events
- Today! Virtual: National Resource Center for Refugee Immigrant and Migrant Communities hosts webinar “How to Support Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Communities before and after the End of the Public Health Emergency” on April 20; and offers a suite of related materials in several languages.
- Virtual: Association of Immunization Managers hosts webinars in April and May
- Virtual: National Minority Quality Forum hosts webinar on the state of minority health after COVID-19 on April 28
- Virtual: Celebrate National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day with the Hepatitis B Foundation’s resources and social media toolkit; follow up with a webinar on how to implement the new universal adult hepatitis B screening and vaccination guidelines on May 1
- In-person: George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School hosts “National Vaccine Law Conference” in Arlington, September 14–15
Resources
- Immunize.org shares recording of webinar “Virulent: The Vaccine War Live Q&A”
- National Infant Immunization Week is April 24–30; use CDC’s digital media toolkit
- Vaccinate Your Family releases its 2023 “State of the ImmUnion” report on vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States
- Association of Immunization Managers shares three new items of interest, including a new episode of the REACHing for Vaccine Equity podcast, regional meetings of the Vaccine Access Cooperative, and the opening of nominations for the 2023 Immunization Champion Award
- Unity Consortium shares new FACTSinnated podcast episode featuring Dr. Paul Offit discussing empowering young adults in decisions about their health
- Improve uptake of HPV vaccine with the Society for Women’s Health Research social media toolkit
- Ambiguously Blind posts new podcast episode featuring Alicia Stillman and Patti Wukovits of Meningitis B Action Project
Job Announcements
Coalitions in the News
Announcements
Webinar/Biennial Meeting
The 2024 National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships will be hosted by the Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition!
The National Network of Immunization Coalitions is excited to announce that the planning committee has chosen the Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition (PAIC) to host the 2024 National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP) in Philadelphia, PA.
Stay tuned for more information about the 2024 NCICP.
Coalition News, Top Stories, and Events
The National Network of Immunization Coalitions highlights Immunize Oregon
Immunize Oregon is a statewide coalition dedicated to supporting health professionals and local champions working tirelessly to meet the complex, evolving needs of the community they serve. Housed within a hospital system, Immunize Oregon developed and implemented clinical training in best practices, aided in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout and community outreach, developed a coalition community portal for immunization stakeholders across the region to collaborate and share resources, and successfully launched an annual Northwest Immunization Conference.
Immunize Oregon has relaunched its Flex Your Defense Campaign, with booklets of 13 custom Immunize Oregon stickers or tattoos promoting community immunity, with the goal of enhancing vaccine confidence by influencing a social norm around vaccinations. The positive messaging spreads even further when recipients post pictures on social media as Immunity Influencers (or ‘Influenzers’) with the hashtag #flexyourdefense. Supplies are limited, but you can get yours by emailing coordinator@immunizeor.org or by emailing the distributor at execugifts@live.com for larger quantities.
Immunize Oregon also launched a new Coalition Community Platform designed to provide a trusted and transparent online community where every member can participate in learning activities and engage with fellow members. This interactive platform aims to provide members with the resources needed to navigate vaccine hesitancy, expand community champion networks, share important updates, and mobilize grassroots initiatives across the Pacific Northwest. Members can share resources and receive routine communications on current events, news stories, and activities happening to help mobilize public health initiatives. The forums and live feeds allow members to connect with influential stakeholders within the safety of a moderated space. Sign up directly or join by visiting the Community Platform web page.
For the first time since 2019, Immunize Oregon will be hosting its annual Northwest Conference (NWIC) 2023 on August 8, bringing together local, regional, and national specialists to learn the latest information on immunizations and vaccine issues. With the theme “Game On”, Immunize Oregon is working with an event planning committee to recruit speakers with a focus on addressing misinformation, overcoming conspiracy theories, and strengthening motivational interviewing skills.
Immunize Oregon created the Immunize Oregon Advocacy Committee to ensure that community and local leaders have the knowledge, resources, and opportunities to make a real change in society. Following recent elections, Immunize Oregon hosted an educational night for Oregon legislatures at the start of the new session emphasizing the importance of equitable access for all. This event inspired coalition members to create a parent-led organization called Oregon Families for Vaccines with a mission to give voice to the majority committed to protecting themselves and their communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. Working closely with Science And Families Engaging (SAFE) Communities Coalition, Immunize Oregon aims to launch Oregon Families for Vaccines within the next few months to support pro-vaccination legislation and overcome bills designed to limit access.
Immunize Oregon was recruited to support clinical training efforts and system-wide policy implementation for vaccination success. The initial investigation identified an opportunity for Immunize Oregon to develop a system-wide initiative on coaching techniques for parents to hold children during appointments and support pain reduction. As Immunize Oregon continues to identify areas of improvement and evaluate the pilot program, it aims to expand its reach to support community stakeholders in promoting vaccination excellence in their practice.
To learn more about Immunize Oregon, visit www.immunizeoregon.org.
“Conspiracy Theorists Made Tiffany Dover into an Anti-vaccine Icon. She’s Finally Ready to Talk about It.” published by NBC
On April 10, NBC published Conspiracy Theorists Made Tiffany Dover into an Anti-vaccine Icon. She’s Finally Ready to Talk about It. The article introduces readers to the woman behind the powerful story presented by Brandy Zadrozny as a plenary session at the 2022 National Conference for Immunization Coalitions and Partnerships (NCICP). A portion of the article appears below.
I’d been following Tiffany since that day, Dec. 17, 2020. Like thousands of others, I first saw her on a livestream during the national rollout of Covid vaccines to front-line workers, where Tiffany became one of the first people in the U.S. to get a shot. I was also watching when she fainted immediately after, launching a wave of misinformation and conspiracy theories that would eventually unravel her life.
The modern anti-vaccine movement was powered by unverified stories of the dead and damaged. Tiffany wasn’t the first person to be swallowed up in an anti-vaccine propaganda campaign, and she wouldn’t be the last.
The unsettling thing about it—to me and the more well-meaning conspiracy theorists who took up an interest in Tiffany’s case—was that she seemed to disappear.
Colorado Community Health Alliance and Julissa Soto launch new radio show Prevención es Salud con Julissa Soto (Prevention is Health with Julissa Soto)
Colorado Community Health Alliance and Julissa Soto will be hosting a radio show, Prevención es Salud con Julissa Soto (Prevention is Health with Julissa Soto), focused on speaking with the non-scientific community. Julissa Soto is a leading health equity and social justice consultant, advocate, and media personality. For more than twenty years, Julissa has dedicated her career to advocating for Latino immigrant equality, inclusion, and health equity in Colorado and throughout the United States. She has pioneered a wide range of health equity and social justice programming and community-based interventions for which she has earned a variety of local and national awards. Julissa effectively uses a multitude of local and national platforms to advance health equity and social justice for vulnerable and marginalized communities.
Tune in on the first Monday of every month at 5 p.m. (MT). Call-in guests are welcome.
Immunize Kansas Coalition hosted Vaccine Fears Overturned by Facts webinar series in March
The Immunize Kansas Coalition (IKC) hosted two Vaccine Fears Overturned by Facts webinars in March designed to address vaccine fears and hesitancy. Returning featured guests are Heather Simpson and Lydia Greene, creators of Back to the Vax and co-authors of the just launched IKC booklet, Vaccine Fears Overturned by Facts. The first webinar, on March 22, was tailored to health providers and health educators, and the second, on March 29, was tailored to parents and families. During both webinars, Heather and Lydia brought a unique perspective by highlighting their personal stories and sharing how to effectively communicate with both patients and providers about concerns surrounding vaccines.
Visit the webinar event web page for slides and recordings.
The events were promoted on IKC’s Vaccine Fears Overturned by Facts event web page, through emails to IKC Listservs and immunization partners, social media posts and ads, and at conferences.
Beyond engaging over 150 individuals through the live webinars, these efforts provided a platform to introduce their new booklet, Vaccine Fears Overturned by Facts. The booklet is intended to be a factual rebuttal with personal stories to address 23 common vaccine myths once believed when they were in the anti-vaccine community, and is available in English and Spanish.
IKC hand-delivered the booklet to each Kansas state lawmaker’s office, to be a timely resource during the legislative session. IKC anticipates a continued impact and reach of the Vaccine Fears Overturned by Facts webinar recordings and booklet. Stay tuned as IKC will post additional promotional resources about the booklet on the Vaccine Fears Overturned by Facts web page for you to share with your networks.
In-person: Missouri Immunization Coalition hosts “Missouri Immunization Conference 2023” in Columbia on April 26–27
The Missouri Immunization Coalition will host its Missouri Immunization Conference 2023 on April 26–27 in Columbia, Missouri. The conference brings together bright minds to give action-oriented talks on a wide range of subjects related to immunizations to foster learning and inspiration, as well as provoke conversations that matter and actions that lead to increased vaccination rates for Missourians. The theme of this year’s conference is “Vaccines: The Building Blocks of Better Health.”
In-person: Immunize Arkansas hosts “2023 HPV Summit” in Little Rock on May 5
Immunize Arkansas will host its 2023 HPV Summit in Little Rock, Arkansas, on May 5. This meeting will give providers tools to talk to patients about the benefits of the HPV vaccine and share best practices to increase HPV immunization rates. The “2023 HPV Summit” has been approved for 5.75 hours of continuing education (CE) for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dental professionals, and certified health education specialists.
There is an option to attend at a student/audit rate for anyone not needing CE. View the 2023 HPV Summit website for registration information.
In-person: Immunize Nevada hosts “17th Annual Nevada Health Conference” in Las Vegas on May 8–9
Immunize Nevada is hosting its 17th Annual Nevada Health Conference May 8–9 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 2023 Nevada Health Conference (NHC23) aims to address health disparities and empower public health and healthcare professionals to positively influence their communities with this year’s theme, “Accelerating Health Equity in Nevada: Crossing the Bridge from Equality to Equity in Healthcare and Public Health.”
NHC23 offers plenary sessions, concurrent workshops, panel sessions, and networking within the areas of chronic disease prevention and health promotion, immunizations, and maternal, child, and adolescent health. Continuing education credits are available for multiple healthcare-related fields. Attendees of the annual conference will break out into concurrent workshops featuring local and national experts presenting approved health topics related to the conference theme.
In-person: Immunize Wisconsin hosts “Immunize Wisconsin Spring Conference” in Wausau on May 18–19
Immunize Wisconsin and coalition partners will host Immunize Wisconsin Spring Conference on May 18–19 in Wausau, Wisconsin. During the conference, attendees will find new ways to improve vaccination uptake and administration throughout Wisconsin. Over the course of two days, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with their professional peers and other healthcare experts to network, identify issues, and problem-solve together.
The agenda includes a keynote from Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, an internationally renowned expert on the intersection between vaccine hesitancy and digital media, a premiere screening of “Shot in the Arm” with filmmaker Q&A, panel discussions, and breakout sessions.
Registration closes on May 8. The fees for attending are $150 for general participants and $100 for all students, residents, and trainees.
Hybrid: WithinReach and Washington State Department of Health host “2023 Washington State Immunization Summit” in Tacoma on May 25
WithinReach, with support from the Washington State Department of Health, will host the 2023 Washington State Immunization Summit, 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (PT) on May 25. Topics will include lessons learned from COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, community-based initiatives, “HPV at 9” in Washington State, practical strategies to address vaccine hesitancy, and the current state of immunizations in Washington.
This year’s event will be presented in a hybrid format.
Registration fee is $100–$250 and will increase after April 30.
In-person: Immunize Colorado hosts “2023 Colorado Regional Immunization Summit” in Glenwood Springs on June 8
Immunize Colorado will host its 2023 Colorado Regional Immunization Summit in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, on June 8. The summit offers a chance to learn from world-renowned experts about current vaccine issues and strategies to increase vaccine delivery, education, and uptake. The summit will also include a screening of the film, Virulent: The Vaccine War, on the evening of June 7. The full agenda and additional details will be made available on the 2023 Colorado Regional Immunization Summit website.
Other News, Educational Opportunities, and Events
Today! Virtual: National Resource Center for Refugee Immigrant and Migrant Communities hosts webinar “How to Support Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Communities before and after the End of the Public Health Emergency” on April 20; and offers a suite of related materials in several languages.
The National Resource Center for Refugee Immigrant and Migrant Communities (NRC-RIM) will host a webinar titled How to Support Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Communities before and after the End of the Public Health Emergency at 3:30 p.m. (ET) today, April 20. On May 11, 2023, the public health emergency (PHE) will expire and many will see changes in COVID-19 healthcare costs, insurance coverage and renewals, and food benefits. These changes are likely to disproportionately impact some refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities. During the webinar, panelists from the Migrant Clinicians Network and the International Rescue Committee discuss how the end of the PHE is likely to impact RIM communities and steps to take before May 11 to support RIM community members.
Register to view the webinar today.
NRC-RIM published materials geared toward supporting people in RIM communities before and after the end of the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Materials, which can be found on the End of the Public Health Emergency main page, include a conversation guide, comprehensive guidebook, and key messages. Communities will benefit from translated fact sheets, social media assets, and a summary of how costs will change. These materials are available in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, French, Karen, Kinyarwanda, Nepali, Pashto, Portuguese, Rohingya, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Swahili (Congolese), Swahili (East African), Tigrinya, and Ukrainian.
Virtual: Association of Immunization Managers hosts webinars in April and May
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) will host the next webinar in its REACHing for Health Equity webinar series, titled Promoting Healthy Nutrition and Vaccines, at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on April 26. Learn from this New Mexico team addressing vaccine confidence head–on by building trust in the community. Serena Ortiz, CCHW, and Sophie Tate, MPH, from Presbyterian Community Health in Albuquerque share their successes and challenges as they co-launched COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinics at a local food hub providing fresh food. Aiming to reach American Indian, African American, and Hispanic/Latino communities, this project focused on using trusted local sites to build vaccine equity.
Watch past archived REACHing for Health Equity webinars:
AIM’s next Vaccine Confidence webinar titled Strengthening Vaccine Confidence: Refreshing Our Conversations about Child and Adolescent Vaccinations will be held 1:00–2:00 p.m. (ET) on May 4. The webinar features evidence-based recommendations designed to equip public health communicators, advocates, and healthcare providers with the needed strategies to effectively build an understanding of and support for child and adolescent vaccinations. Julie Sweetland, PhD, FrameWorks Institute, will provide participants with a set of research-based insights to implement recommendations in their jurisdictions and build vaccine confidence across their diverse communities through an interactive presentation and Q&A panel.
- AIM: An Innovative Community Partnership to Increase Vaccine Confidence and Access (archived webinar)
Virtual: National Minority Quality Forum hosts webinar on the state of minority health after COVID-19 on April 28
The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) will host a webinar titled The State of Minority Health: What Is the Status of Minority Health, Post-COVID-19?, 12:00–1:00 p.m., on April 28. During the webinar, there will be a discussion with Daniel B. Fagbuyi, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine, George Washington University School of Medicine, and Stephen B. Thomas, PhD, Founding Professor, Maryland Center for Health Equity University of Maryland School of Public Health, on the state of minority health after COVID-19.
Related Link
- National Minority Quality Forum: Empowering COVID-19 Prevention & Protection in the Pandemic & Beyond: A Faith Health Alliance Initiative webinar (3/24/23)
Virtual: Celebrate National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day with the Hepatitis B Foundation’s resources and social media toolkit; follow up with a webinar on how to implement the new universal adult hepatitis B screening and vaccination guidelines on May 1
April 30 is National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day—a great time to make sure your patients know they need to be protected from the world’s leading cause of liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is now routinely recommended for adults age 19–59, yet 70% of adults have not completed the series. Adults age 60 and older also may be vaccinated.
The Hepatitis B Foundation offers a social media toolkit featuring graphics and sample posts. The toolkit includes a Call to Action to eliminate hepatitis B through universal adult hepatitis B screening and vaccination.
The Hepatitis B Foundation will host a webinar titled Universal Adult Hepatitis B Recommendations Are Here at 3:00 p.m. (ET) on May 1. During the webinar, learn how to implement the new universal adult hepatitis B screening and vaccination guidelines. Panelists will provide best practices on their efforts to implement universal screening and vaccination within their communities, challenges they have faced, and the findings of a brand new Call-to-Action to eliminate hepatitis B through the new universal recommendations.
In-person: George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School hosts “National Vaccine Law Conference” in Arlington, September 14–15
George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School will host its National Vaccine Law Conference on September 14–15. The first National Vaccine Law Conference has been called to address the urgent need for an increased understanding of the interrelated operations of different aspects of vaccine, vaccination, and immunization law. The nation now faces a steady drumbeat of anti-vaccine messaging, well-stocked with misinformation and misinterpretation of data, contributing to the declining rate of vaccination for childhood diseases such as measles, polio, and tetanus, and growing state-level legislative efforts to weaken and repeal mandates for these vaccines.
Trends of this nature are some of the key reasons why this conference will also be a working conference—not just an opportunity for an exchange of knowledge, but a place for cross-disciplinary development of creative thinking in improving the structuring of our legal responses to infectious diseases, new and old, and to counter the heavy toll that such diseases extract from our society.
There is a fee to register.
Resources
Immunize.org shares recording of webinar “Virulent: The Vaccine War Live Q&A”
The documentary, Virulent: The Vaccine War, is an invitation to think again, exposing the myths and laying bare the facts about vaccine science, its history, and what it will take to eradicate the world’s most deadly diseases. Immunize.org and the National Network of Immunization Coalitions hosted a live Q&A webinar to discuss the film Virulent: The Vaccine War on March 20. The recording of the webinar is now available on the National Network of Immunization Coalitions website.
National Infant Immunization Week is April 24–30; use CDC’s digital media toolkit
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), April 24–30, highlights the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrates the achievements of immunization partners. Completing the recommended vaccinations by age 2 years is the best way to protect young children from 15 potentially life-threatening diseases. After the disruptions of three pandemic years, these messages are more important than ever for families to hear.
CDC makes it simple for you to participate in NIIW by using their 2023 NIIW Digital Media Toolkit to plan activities. The toolkit includes updated English and Spanish logos, sample social media content, social graphics, and key messages. Please share your posts using the hashtag #ivax2protect.
Related Links
- CDC: National Infant Immunization Week main page
- CDC: 2023 NIIW Digital Media Toolkit main page
- Immunize.org: Parent Handouts main page
Vaccinate Your Family releases its 2023 “State of the ImmUnion” report on vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States
Vaccinate Your Family (VYF) released its annual State of the ImmUnion report, distributed to policy makers in Washington, DC. The report examines the strength of our country’s defenses against vaccine-preventable diseases. Notably, it points out what we can do to make our country more resilient against emerging health threats.
Please take a moment to ask your representatives for strong support of vaccines. Share the most recent State of the ImmUnion report by using VYF’s form to send quick and easy emails to members of Congress from your district. You also can share one of VYF’s state fact sheets that will help your lawmakers understand the importance of strong vaccination policies in your specific state.
Association of Immunization Managers shares three new items of interest, including a new episode of the REACHing for Vaccine Equity podcast, regional meetings of the Vaccine Access Cooperative, and the opening of nominations for the 2023 Immunization Champion Award
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) posted a new episode on its REACHing for Vaccine Equity podcast. Learn more about heart health and how people can continue to thrive with the preventive power of getting vaccinated and adopting healthy behaviors. Community health leaders from Multnomah County Health Department in Portland, OR, share their successes and challenges in reaching patients with heart disease.
Listen to the podcast on the REACHing for Vaccine Equity web page.
Additionally, AIM, in partnership with the National Academy for State Health Policy and AcademyHealth, invites coalitions’ participation in a regional meeting of the Vaccine Access Cooperative (VAC). These regional meetings are being convened across the country and bring together immunization program managers, Medicaid medical directors, jurisdictional leaders from the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and pharmacy associations, and regional representatives from the National Hispanic Medical Association, the National Medical Association, tribal health associations, and other key partners to develop strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccination rates for children.
The VAC meetings are intended to improve relationships among state and regional leaders and leverage those relationships to create jurisdiction-specific strategies for improving childhood COVID-19 vaccination rates.
The following are the jurisdiction meetings scheduled for May:
Region | States | Location | Dates |
Beaches | Al, FL, LA, MS, PR, USVI | New Orleans, LA | May 15–17 |
West | AK, CA, ID, OR, WA | Portland, OR | May 22–24 |
New England/Mid-Atl | CT, DC, DE, MA, ME, MD, NH, NY, NYC, NJ, PA, Philadelphia, RI, VT | Portland, ME | May 31–June 2 |
At the time of writing, immunization coalitions from California and Oregon are already represented at these meetings. All other states and jurisdictions are eligible to send a representative.
AIM will cover all travel expenses, including flight, hotel, ground transportation, and meals for one representative of a state immunization coalition (alternatively, one representative of a local or regional coalition may attend if the state coalition does not have a representative attending).
Contact Katie Gore at kgore@immunizationmanagers.org with any questions and to volunteer to attend your regional meeting!
Finally, AIM is excited to announce the nomination period for the 2023 Immunization Champion Award, April 17–May 19. This award honors one individual per jurisdiction who has made a significant contribution to promote and/or foster immunization in their community for any vaccine category by exhibiting one or more of the following criteria: leadership, collaboration, innovation, and/or advocacy.
If you or someone you know fits this definition, please nominate an Immunization Champion. Learn about eligibility requirements and access the nomination form on AIM’s Champion Awards web page.
If you have any questions please contact us at champions@immunizationmanagers.org.
Unity Consortium shares new FACTSinnated podcast episode featuring Dr. Paul Offit discussing empowering young adults in decisions about their health
The Unity Consortium’s (Unity) podcast, FACTSinnated, is centered around “myth-busting” commonly held misconceptions surrounding vaccines—particularly adolescent and young adult vaccines. Unity released a new episode titled The Importance of Adolescent and Young Adult Voices with Dr. Paul Offit. Listen to vaccine expert Paul Offit, MD, share ways to help teens find accurate information and use their voice to be their own best advocate. Tune in as he discusses the importance of empowering adolescents in decisions about their health.
Improve uptake of HPV vaccine with the Society for Women’s Health Research social media toolkit
April is Sexually Transmitted Infections Awareness Month. The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) offers resources to improve education on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and its crucial role in public health.
Check out the HPV Vaccine Social Media Toolkit today and follow the HPV vaccine conversation at #SWHRtalksHPV and on all SWHR social channels.
Ambiguously Blind posts new podcast episode featuring Alicia Stillman and Patti Wukovits of Meningitis B Action Project
John Grimes miraculously survived meningococcal disease (bacterial meningitis) as a sophomore in college. John’s body endured considerable trauma that was mostly healed with physical therapy. But, neurological dysfunction and blindness are permanent reminders of his battle with meningitis. To spread awareness, John is an active advocate with meningitis organizations and shares his unique survival story and journey with sight loss on his podcast, Ambiguously Blind, with a mission to challenge beliefs and reveal abilities that make people extraordinary.
A new episode titled Meningitis Stories and Advocacy with Patti and Alicia features Patti Wukovits and Alicia Stillman, two mothers who each lost their young, healthy daughters too soon to a now vaccine-preventable disease, meningitis B. In 2014, to educate the public about meningococcal meningitis and MenB vaccination, Patti and Alicia each established their own foundations named after their daughters. Both mothers have since joined forces under the Meningitis B Action Project to make sure other parents don’t needlessly suffer the same fate.
Listen to all of the meningitis episodes from the Ambiguously Blind podcast.
Job Announcements
The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) is looking for an Executive Director
The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI) is looking to hire an experienced, strategic, and visionary leader to serve as its next Executive Director (ED). The incoming ED will serve as the face of TAPI and continue to support TAPI coalition members’ efforts to ensure Arizona is a national leader in community wellness, effective public policy, and best immunization practices.
See the job description and how to apply.
Coalitions in the News
These recent articles feature coalition activities and other stories of interest
- Bloomberg Law: Future COVID Shots Need Broader Coverage, FDA Vaccine Head Says (4/4/23)
- Scripps News: What Happens to COVID Vaccines When the Public Health Emergency Ends? (4/3/23)
- Lincoln County Record: Immunize Nevada Encouraging Vaccinations after Increase in Reported Pediatric Flu Deaths (3/9/23)
Announcements
Announcements from the National Network of Immunization Coalitions
The National Network of Immunization Coalitions reminds you of the important ways every coalition can plug into the power of our network:
- Bookmark National Network of Immunization Coalitions’ Calendar of Events on its website, immunizationcoalitions.org, to learn about upcoming national, regional, state, and local conferences; workshops; and virtual educational opportunities
- Subscribe to IZ Express, the free weekly e-newsletter produced by Immunize.org, for immunization-related news, new and updated recommendations, educational materials, and educational opportunities
- Urge your coalition members to sign up for IZ Coalitions Network News, the monthly e-newsletter for the National Network of Immunization Coalitions that features news of interest to immunization coalitions and nonprofit organizations. To subscribe, send a request to info@immunizationcoalitions.org asking to be included.
- Be sure that your coalition is listed and information is up to date on the National Network of Immunization Coalitions website. To add your coalition or make updates, please email info@immunizationcoalitions.org.